Energy Timeline By grayad Period: Jan 1, 1700 to Dec 31, 2000 Energy Jan 1, 1701 Coal discovered Oct 17, 1750 Oil discovered Sep 20, 1752 Ben Franklin discovers electricity Oct 17, 1800 First electric battery Nov 18, 1816 Natural gas discovered Oct 17, 1890 Generoators Oct 17, 1930 Greenhouse Oct 17, 1946 The Atomic Energy Act Oct 17, 1957 Nuclear power Oct 17, 1960 Geothermal gas commercial